Name: Manjunath N. Lamani & Y. S. Balavantagol
Country: India

Year: 2025
Volume: Volume No: 12, Issue No: 2, Year: 2025 (Special Issue- 1)
Page Number: 59-65
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17112273

ABSTRACT
The concept of One Nation, One Election (ONOE) represents a transformative shift in India’s
democratic and electoral landscape. This study examines the constitutional, political, and
institutional dimensions of synchronizing national and state-level elections in the world’s
largest federal democracy. The proposal aims to reduce election-related expenditure, policy
paralysis, and governance disruptions caused by frequent electoral cycles. However, it also
invites critical questions regarding its alignment with the federal structure, democratic
pluralism, and constitutional safeguards enshrined in the Indian polity. This research employs
a qualitative approach, drawing on constitutional texts, parliamentary debates, reports of the
Law Commission and Election Commission of India, and judgments of the Supreme Court. It
analyses the feasibility of implementing ONOE within the framework of Articles 83, 172,
356, and the Basic Structure Doctrine, while also considering its political ramifications such
as the centralization of electoral narratives and the marginalization of regional voices.
The study situates ONOE in a broader comparative context by examining similar practices in
countries like South Africa, Sweden, and Indonesia, thereby providing a global perspective
on synchronized elections in federal systems. It also evaluates the logistical preparedness and
institutional autonomy required for such a reform to succeed in India.
The article argues that while ONOE may offer administrative and fiscal benefits, it poses
significant risks to the heterogeneity and decentralized ethos of India’s democracy. As such,
any move toward electoral unification must be preceded by a rigorous constitutional
amendment process, wide public consultation, and the political consensus of state
governments. This paper contributes to the ongoing debate on electoral reform by balancing
the imperatives of governance efficiency with the foundational values of representative
federalism.
Keywords - One Nation One Election, simultaneous elections, Indian Constitution,
federalism, electoral reform, parliamentary democracy, democratic centralization, Law
Commission.